How To Survive In Belarus If You Don’t Speak Russian

Do I need to know Russian or Belarusian for traveling in Belarus? Should I be able to read the Cyrillic alphabet? How well and widely spoken is English?

These are just some of the questions that bother a foreigner who plans to spend some time in Belarus.

BelarusFeed compiled a list of tips to help you get around the country and feel at home.

Let’s say, you arrived in Belarus via Minsk airport, everything is fine and clear, the signs are in English and the staff speaks some basic. Most likely you will be able to order a cup of coffee or call a taxi there.

If public transport is not your type of getting around the city, use some taxi apps. Mind that not so many drivers speak English, on the other hand, you need a taxi to get you to your destination, not for some chatter, right?

As to tourists-aware places like hotels, center-based cafes and restaurants, staff there usually know English well enough to satisfy your needs. Most places offer menus in English, so no need to worry, you won’t starve to death.

The same applies to museums, exhibitions, and major tourist sites. They either have audio guides in various languages or descriptions and explanations in English.

2. Download apps

To feel comfortable in Belarus, it’s good to add a bunch of useful apps with the English version to your phone.

There are a variety of them that will guide you around the city, recommend a cafe or provide info about museums, shops, and hotels.

Belarus guide by Triposo: an offline map with walking routes and landmarks, hotels, nightclubs, and tips about public transport.

HelloMinsk is your personal guide around the Belarusian capital – 50 sights and up to two hours of audio excursions altogether.